Letter to the Editor

by Father John McCloskey

In response to Catholicism's Curse - New York Times (January 27, 2013)

The Catholic Church is made up of sinners from the pope and the clergy to its newest converts, and pretends nothing less. It offers mercy and forgiveness to those who frequent its sacraments.

An institution should be judged not by those who do not live up to its teaching but by those who do. We call them saints.

Since its founding, the church has only grown. It mourns those who have fallen away but cannot change its fundamental teachings to bring them back. If it did so, it would be a traitor to its founder.

So peace to Frank Bruni and Garry Wills; as they must obey their consciences, so must the church.